Imagine getting laid off from your job.. Your first thoughts? How will you make your mortgage payment, buy groceries and pay the utility bills? Thankfully, unemployment benefits are a safety net while you look for work in a tough economy.

In the aftermath of the Great Recession, this frightening scenario has hit close to home for many Michigan families. It was just a few years ago that our economy was brought to its knees and millions of workers found themselves out of a job. The economic crisis was not only deep, it lasted far longer than anybody expected. While it may be hard to imagine, things could have been much worse. Since 2008, more than 24 million Americans have been able to rely on long-term unemployment insurance to stay on their feet.

Unfortunately, funding for this vital lifeline for jobless workers expired on Dec. 28 and benefits that kept millions out of poverty vanished. The failure to renew this benefit is costing a staggering 43,311 Michiganians $12,729,969 a week, robbing families of a support system that remains essential to economic survival.

In today’s economy, nearly three jobless workers apply for each job opening and more than 37 percent of the unemployed have been out of work for at least six months. Many portray unemployment insurance as a hand-out, jobless workers must demonstrate that they are constantly searching for work to receive unemployment benefits. The benefits themselves are modest, averaging just $300 a week.

Ensuring these families can make ends meet has been demonstrated to create jobs and boost the economy. By not extending unemployment benefits we are robbing businesses of customers and costing the country more than 240,000 jobs, including 8,450 jobs in Michigan. As the year goes on, the consequences will be even worse when benefits for 3.6 million Americans are scheduled to expire.

The Congressional Budget Office considers unemployment benefits to be one of the most important and effective economic stimulus programs. Unlike multi-millionaires who receive a tax cut, jobless workers are much more likely to go out and spend that money in the local economy.

It is shameful that there was nothing included in the recent budget negotiations to help the millions of people who want to work but cannot find employment. This was coupled with a resistance to close tax loopholes for the corporations that caused our economic crisis.

Michigan working families must demand that Congress creates good jobs and restores opportunity that grows the economy from the middle class out. Members of Congress have a chance to redeem themselves by voting to restore unemployment benefits as they return to work this month.

Michigan families, urge Congressman Upton to show leadership and vote to extend unemployment benefits for the hardest hit. Our economy cannot afford for him not to.